MacAULEY NAMED LITTLE EAST CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Oct. 27, 2008

NORTH DARTMOUTH, MA - University of Massachusetts Boston women's volleyball player Megan MacAuley (Upland, CA) has been named Little East Conference Volleyball Defensive Player of the Week for her play during the week of October 20-26, it was announced today by the conference. She is the second UMB player to receive the honor. Freshman middle hitter Molly Rattigan (Dorchester, MA) was also named the league's top weekly defensive player for the week of September 8-14.

MacAuley has anchored the defense all season since making the move from outside hitter the past two seasons to libero for this year. She averaged 5.40 digs per set in addition to getting up for a block solo in 10 sets over three matches on the week. The junior got down for at least 10 digs in all three matches and scooped up 25 in a four-set victory at University of Massachusetts Dartmouth on October 25 and added 19 more digs in a three-set win over Plymouth State University later on that day. The libero began the week with 10 digs in a 3-0 victory over Pine Manor College on October 21.

A graduate of Upland High School, MacAuley became the Beacons' career leader in digs on October 7 at Lesley University and now has 993 digs as she closes in on becoming the only player in school history with 1,000 or more digs. Named a Co-Captain prior to the season, she leads the team with 4.37 digs per set, which ranks her seventh among LEC leaders. MacAuley has registered 10 or more digs on 20 occasions, including her last six contests. The California native has scooped up 15 or more digs 11 times, including a career-high of 29 vs. Smith College on September 20.

MacAuley spent the first half of her career as one of UMass Boston's main offensive weapons and has played 297 career sets to rank fourth all-time at UMB, while seeing action in 85 matches to place sixth on the school's career list. Her 495 kills put her seventh on the Beacons' all-time list, while her 90 career aces are the ninth-most in school annals. She also owns a career .162 hitting percentage to place her as the ninth-most accurate hitter in school history. Since her arrival three years ago, UMass Boston has posted a 54-33 mark for the best three-year stretch in school-history.

The Beacons are currently 21-7 on the season and have won a school-record 12 straight matches and 14 of 15. UMass Boston is also 3-1 in Little East Conference play to place second in the standings and will be in action on Tuesday, October 28 when it travels to inner city rival Emerson College at 7:00 p.m.